Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Portugal open opportunities as skilled Nigerians target legal migration routes

Thousands of professionals in Lagos and other major Nigerian cities are turning to new work visa programmes in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and Portugal, aiming for permanent residency status by 2026. The surge comes as these countries expand legal migration pathways to address critical labour shortages in sectors such as healthcare, technology and engineering.

According to official guidelines released this week, each of the five countries has outlined steps for skilled migrants—including Nigerians—to obtain work permits that can be converted into permanent residency after a period of employment. For Canada, applicants must check if their occupation is in demand, secure a job offer where required, obtain a work permit and then apply for permanent residency through Express Entry or provincial programmes after gaining Canadian experience.

In Australia, professionals are required to confirm their occupation on the national skilled list, complete a skills assessment and submit an Expression of Interest before applying for various skilled visas. The country has continued to prioritise sectors like education, construction and IT. New Zealand’s Accredited Employer Work Visa now allows qualified candidates who secure jobs with government-approved employers to transition to residency status if they meet experience requirements in Green List occupations.

Germany has introduced reforms making it easier for foreign workers—especially engineers and health professionals—to migrate under the EU Blue Card or Opportunity Card schemes. Successful applicants can obtain permanent settlement once they fulfil job tenure and language conditions. Meanwhile, Portugal remains attractive due to its lower cost of living and simplified process: workers can apply for residence permits after securing local employment, with a pathway to permanent status after several years.

Immigration consultants in Lagos have advised applicants to avoid unauthorised agents and rely solely on official government channels. “Many of these countries now have clear online portals for Nigerians interested in legal migration,” said one expert during a seminar in Ikeja. Authorities warn that visa scams remain rampant as interest grows. With rising youth unemployment at home—NBS data put the national rate at over 33 percent—demand for credible migration options is expected to remain high through 2026.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/five-countries-offering-work-visas-with-pathways-to-permanent-residency-in-2026-and-how-nigerians-can-apply-2026062509550532196

Actress celebrates first child and 36th birthday same day, urges Nigerian women to prioritise fibroid care

Nollywood actress Ini Dima-Okojie has welcomed her first child, a baby boy, in Lagos on Monday, 24 June 2026, coinciding with her 36th birthday. The milestone comes after nearly a decade of battling uterine fibroids and fertility challenges, which the actress has spoken about publicly over the years.

Dima-Okojie, known for her role in ‘Blood Sisters,’ announced the birth of her son with husband Abasi Ene-Obong through social media posts showing her cradling the newborn. She described motherhood as a humbling and rewarding experience. “There is no role I have ever played that has humbled me, stretched me, challenged me, or filled my heart quite like this one,” she wrote. “These past weeks have been some of the most beautiful, overwhelming, exhausting, and rewarding of my life.”

Her journey began in 2017 when she was first diagnosed with fibroids by a gynaecologist who reportedly advised marriage if symptoms did not worsen. By March 2020, after consulting another doctor due to increased discomfort, she was recommended for surgery—a procedure delayed by the COVID-19 lockdowns. During that period, Dima-Okojie tried alternative remedies including herbal treatments and dietary changes before undergoing a successful myomectomy in November 2020.

However, in July 2024 she revealed that the fibroids had returned three years post-surgery. Instead of another operation, she adopted a holistic approach—cutting out red meat, dairy, processed foods and refined sugar—documenting her journey to inspire other Nigerian women facing similar struggles. By October 2024 an ultrasound confirmed that the fibroids were shrinking.

In April this year Dima-Okojie announced her pregnancy online, describing it as “a miracle” and referencing Jeremiah 1:5 from the Bible: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” She encouraged women not to ignore fibroid symptoms and offered to sponsor scans for those unable to afford them.

With her son’s arrival on her birthday, Ini Dima-Okojie’s long road from diagnosis to motherhood has ended on a joyful note. Many fans and colleagues have taken to social media to congratulate her and echo her calls for greater awareness about women’s health challenges in Nigeria.

Source: https://www.pulse.ng/story/after-9-years-of-fibroid-battles-actress-ini-dima-okojie-welcomes-miracle-baby-2026062509360335223

Judgement marks rare conviction in federal recruitment fraud; NSCDC yet to comment on officer’s status after verdict

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday convicted a senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over involvement in job racketeering. The judgement, delivered on 25 June, found the officer guilty of unlawfully collecting money from job seekers under the pretense of securing them employment within the paramilitary agency.

The court proceedings revealed that the convicted officer abused his position by soliciting bribes from multiple individuals, promising them NSCDC recruitment slots that did not exist. After hearing evidence and submissions from both prosecution and defence, the presiding judge delivered a guilty verdict, ruling that the actions constituted criminal breach of trust and fraud under Nigerian law.

Job racketeering has remained a persistent problem within Nigeria’s public sector, with several government institutions facing allegations of illegal recruitment and extortion. The conviction is seen as a significant step in addressing impunity for such offences among high-ranking officials and may serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar practices.

As at press time, NSCDC authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the status of the convicted officer or possible disciplinary measures. Attempts to reach agency spokespersons were unsuccessful. The court is expected to pass sentence in coming days, setting precedent for future cases involving civil service recruitment scandals.

Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/890578-court-convicts-top-nscdc-officer-of-job-racketeering.html